Bus passengers across Reading will be able to feel even more green as they hop on their local bus due to Reading Buses' latest cash injection.

The bus company has been given a government grant of £1,721,655 to go towards the cost of purchasing 16 double decker biomethane buses and supporting infrastructure.

Reading Buses made the bid to the Low Emission Bus Scheme and won a proportion of the £30 million on offer.

The company is one of 13 successful bidders who will be able to add 326 buses – including electric, hybrid, hydrogen and biomethane buses – to their fleets, and install more than £7 million worth of infrastructure.

Engineers at the Great Knolly's Street depot say it will enable more gas buses in their fleet in the future.

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It first introduced the first 20 Euro V gas single decks in 2013 followed by 14 more shortly afterwards.

The company also worked on a £1 million gas compression station at their depot to help fast fuel these buses.

Mr Bickerton added: "They have delivered strong customer growth as drivers and passengers alike enjoy their smooth journeys and the strong environmental benefits from their travel.

“The vehicles are also among the most reliable in our fleet and the engineers like their simplicity.

“We have always seen compressed natural gas as a viable, sustainable fuel. We put our own money where our mouth is and, thanks to this grant, we are able to continue to use and promote gas as a sustainable fuel feed of the future too.”